Bush exploits Olympics, violates rules

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-07-2004
Bush exploits Olympics, violates rules
14
Sun, 08-22-2004 - 3:23am
ATHENS, Greece - Iraqi soccer players reacted angrily Friday after being told that their nation's Olympic participation was mentioned in TV commercial by the re-election campaign for President Bush.

The players called on Bush to stop using them to win votes in the United States.

“Iraq as a team does not want Mr. Bush to use us for the presidential campaign,” midfielder Salih Sadir was quoted as saying. “He can find another way to advertise himself.”

Another Iraqi player asked: “How will (Bush) meet his God having slaughtered so many men and women? He has committed so many crimes.”

Hamd said, “The American army has killed so many people in Iraq. What is freedom when I go to the stadium and there are shootings on the road?”

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Sat, 08-28-2004 - 7:12am
It is disgusting the way that he is using this, but then again he used the victims of 9-11 also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Sat, 08-28-2004 - 7:37am


I do not think that is wise, considering the type of welcome Colin Powell has received..

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/08/28/greece.powell/index.html

Powell pulls out of Athens visit

Washington denies anti-U.S. protests to blame





ATHENS, Greece -- U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has pulled out of a visit to Athens to attend Sunday's closing ceremonies for the Olympic Games, U.S. officials said.

Washington denied Powell changed plans because of anti-U.S. protests which saw police hurl tear gas Friday at about 1,000 demonstrators heading for the U.S. Embassy in Athens.

On Saturday Greek activists hoisted a massive banner saying "Powell Killer Go Home" on the Acropolis hillside towering over Athens to protest against his planned 24-hour visit.

A statement released Saturday by U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Powell would not attend because of "the press of business in Washington."

During a press briefing Friday, Powell told a reporter he was looking forward to the visit to Athens, but added, "We're still looking at that trip."

Powell called Greek Foreign Minister Petros Molyviatis Friday to inform him of his absence.

" expressed his congratulations to the government and people of Greece for hosting a spectacular, safe, and successful Olympics," the statement said.

"He proposed visiting Greece in October."

On Friday, riot police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who took part in a protest against the Powell visit.

About 1,500 anti-globalization demonstrators who took part in the march were prevented from reaching the U.S. Embassy to protest against Powell's trip.

The demonstrators, who scuffled with police in front of the Greek parliament, fought running battles with riot squads trying to stop them reaching the embassy.


Teargas was used when protesters clashed with riot police outside the Greek parliament Friday.

The embassy is not near any Olympic venues, but it is near the hotel being used by the International Olympic Committee and located on a major Olympic traffic lane.

The Greek government said Powell told Molyviatis he could not come because of "pressing obligations" and that the two agreed he would visit Greece in the first half of October.

The International Olympic Committee declined to comment on Powell's decision. But an organizer of protests in Athens said it was a victory for the anti-war movement.

"Of course, the cancellation was linked to our protests," Yiannis Sifakakis told Reuters. "This is a huge victory for the anti-war movement which protested by the thousands in the streets of Athens last night.

"It is very clear why he is not coming even if he is trying to come up with excuses. But whenever he should decide to come we will lay on the same welcome," Sifakakis said.

A senior U.S. official hinted that Powell's trip might have caused unspecified difficulties for Greece, which has mounted a major security operation to keep the Olympics safe.

"The Greeks have done a terrific job with the Olympics and the last thing that we want to do is have complications with a trip that might detract from their success," the official, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.

Asked what would keep Powell in Washington, State Department spokesman Kurtis Cooper said: "Among other things, there is much going on in Iraq, especially in Najaf, and in Sudan that requires the secretary close attention."

In Najaf, Shiite fighters left the Imam Ali Mosque Friday and began turning in their weapons after a peace agreement.

Sudan faces a U.N. deadline next week to defuse

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 10:24pm
What more proof does one need than hearing on the news that Collin Powell as our nation's Secretary Of State could not attend the final night of the Olympics that it is time for a change in America's leadership. Collin Powell is a class act, and I for one look for him to resign if Bush does get elected to a second term. Unfortunately, Rumsfield is a hanger on, which means Bush gets elected, we are stuck with him as well.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Sun, 08-29-2004 - 10:31pm
Great Post! one further thought...despite the Soccer Teams wishes not to have Bush use them in a political ad, Bush decided his election team would continue the ad until after the Olympics were over....sad there was not more news coverage on that arrogant disregard of Iraq's wishes. Meanwhile, our president in his infinite wisdom has placed our troops in a situation of having an interim Iraqi government acting as their defacto Commander and Chief.

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